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Benson’s Affiliated Community Medical Centers (ACMC) is moving into its new building Wednesday (today). The new clinic building is part of a $5 million expansion and renovation of the Swift County-Benson Hospital.
An open house is planned for Oct. 22.
In April 2012, the SCBH board of governors approved the bid of Breitbach Construction of Elrosa for construction of the new clinic on south side of the hospital along McKinney Avenue. Construction began later that spring with the estimated time of completion the middle of September 2013.
Before construction began on the new clinic, ACMC signed a 20-year lease with the hospital for the space.

By Reed Anfinson
Publisher, Swift County Monitor-News
Two children who attended St. Francis Xavier Parochial School in Benson are among the at least 20 children that former priest Father David A. Roney is accused of sexually abusing during his career.
The incidents, one involving a boy and one a girl, are alleged to have occurred while he was in Benson between 1963 and 1967. Roney died Jan. 27, 2003.
Monday the law firm of Jeff Anderson and Associates PA conducted a press conference with two women who say Roney abused them while he was a priest in Willmar between 1967 and 1975.
The two, along with a third unidentified person who attended the Catholic school in Benson, are seeking an amount in excess of $50,000 each as well as costs, reasonable attorney’s fees, and other relief “as the court deems just and equitable” from the Diocese of New Ulm. The suit was filed last Friday in Brown County.

As communities and cities around the US commemmorate the tragedy of 911, the city of Benson is flying a flag that was originally made to be seen - and in a big way.

The original 30' x 42' "Garrison" flag was the one that Francis Scott Key saw on the morning of September 14, 1814. It inspired him to write the words to "The Star Spangled Banner."

Today the original of this flag is displayed in the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History, Washington, D.C.

The flag was especially made for the garrison in Baltimore, MD in 1812. It was made by Mary Pickersgill, a well-known flagmaker in Baltimore. She worked relentlessly on heavy, woolen flags, one of which was to be the largest garrison flag ever flown.

Today's tribute in Benson is being flown from the newly installed flag pole.

In April, the District 777 Board of Education went through the agonizing process of cutting $635,909 from its budget.
It meant eliminating and paring back programs that teachers, parents and former students said were essential to give the children of the community a well-rounded education. It also meant larger class sizes, one less bus route and putting off necessary capital expenditures for things such as fixing roofs and purchases for the computer lab.
Now faced with declining enrollment continuing to take a toll on revenues, the board needs to raise additional money to avoid even deeper cuts over the next several years. This fall the school board will seek voter support for what is called a “revoke and replace” levy.

Target launched a new gift card promotion this year, and is giving away $5 million to schools. Northside Elementary School of Benson was third in the nation last year, and incredibly enough, took the top prize Wednesday around noon.
Second grade teacher Roger Ebnet said. “It’s great to see the whole town rally for something positive.”The school, besides winning money, wins appearances by music and sports stars and celebrities like Country Star Luke Bryan, NFL star Donald Driver, Olympic Gymnast Gabby Douglas, and movie stars LaLa Anthony and Sophie Bush.

Benson broke a record high for Aug. 25 when it reached 93 degrees. The old record was 92 degrees set in 1959. That 92-degree high was the lowest high temperature record in the month of August. Now there are three dates, Aug. 10, Aug. 25 and Aug. 31 with record highs of 93 degrees.
The city also broke a record for the highest low temperature for Aug. 25 when it only fell to 73 degrees. The old record was 72 degrees set in 1960.
It also hit 93 degrees Monday, but the record high for Aug. 26 is 99 degrees set in 1976.
Temperatures have been somewhat cooler than forecast, thankfully with temps not in the 90s until Sunday.

The Swift County Historical Society is set to host a bus tour from the museum in Benson to the Long Prairie area Monday, Sept. 9.
Besides some “mystery shops”, the bus will stop at the Leatherwood Vinegary and Amish shops. The day will also include midday and evening meals. You can contact the society at 843-4467 or swiftmuseum@embarqmail.com for more information.
If you are interested in signing up, you are urged to contact the society as soon as possible as a minimum of 28 people are needed before final arrangements are made.

Benson CNH employees had the chance last week to test drive Chrysler and Fiat cars, and even get an employee discount. CNH and Chrysler are both owned by Fiat. CNH has two locations in Benson and employs more than 300 workers.

PHOTO: This Dodge Challenger concept car has a 426 horsepower engine (like many of the muscle cars in the 50s and 60s), which was revved up for CNH employees.

Every 10 years the City of Benson negotiates a new agreement with Charter Communications for its cable franchise in the community. The agreement allows Charter to use the city’s rights of way for its cable lines.
Negotiations on that new agreement were supposed to have started over a year ago so that the new one would be in place by the date the current document expires in October. To represent its interests, the city retained Twin Cities’ attorney Brian Grogan, a specialist in communications and technology.
Last summer, Grogan and City Manager Rob Wolfington thought the renewal process would be routine. In September, they sent a copy of the franchise agreement to Charter seeking input on any changes. Not less than six times the city sought a reply from Charter, but was met with silence. Finally, in early July, nine months after the city had tried to start a dialogue, Charter responded.